Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez honoured by River Plate for Copa triumph

Enzo Fernandez has had a complicated week. During the Copa America celebrations he won with Argentina, he posted a live video on his Instagram profile in which he and his compatriots chanted an alleged racist chant on the ‘Albiceleste’ bus. This cost him a public apology as even his Chelsea teammates accused him of racism on their own social media.

A few days later, the midfielder travelled to his country to receive a tribute at half-time of the Liga match between River Plate and Lanus. The Blues midfielder took to the pitch during the half-time break to thunderous applause from the Mas Monumental and the members of the club that saw him grow up. 

The former ‘Millonario’ player was so excited that he even dared to wear the team's shirt, showing off the colours he has not worn since the beginning of July 2022, some two years ago, when he said goodbye to his fans in a cup tie against Velez Sarsfield. With the score at 0-0, he was substituted shortly after the start of the second half to a standing ovation from the fans.

Enzo Fernandez will soon be back at Chelsea, where he will have to adapt to a new coach, Enzo Maresca. The language, as under Mauricio Pochettino, will be an advantage for the former Defensa y Justicia player, who will be able to get on perfectly with his new coach. At the same time, however, he will have to prove that he can count on the forgiveness of players offended by the bus video, such as Wesley Fofana.

 

July 21, 2024